When discussing cloud computing solutions, you will often hear references made to private and public clouds, as well as arguments over the comparative merits of each. Depending on your level of cloud technology expertise, figuring out the pros and cons being debated can sometimes feel like you’re trying to translate a foreign dialect. The following article breaks down the differences between private and public cloud computing, and explains their key differences in relatively common terminology.
Defining Private Cloud Computing
The easiest way to think of private cloud computing is as a service that provides dedicated infrastructure to one client. The client has control over all of its data, including where it is stored, how and when it is transferred, and the infrastructure services that manage it. It is this heighted level of customer control that makes private cloud technology attractive to clients who are particularly concerned with security.
Advantages of Private Cloud Technology
As one might guess, greater client control equates to fewer security concerns for private cloud users. The private cloud computing solutions still impart the same benefits of flexibility, scalability and improved user productivity onto the client once existing infrastructure has been transitioned over.
Disadvantages of Private Cloud Technology
Probably the biggest drawback to private cloud solutions is the fact that the client must still purchase hardware, configure it, and then continue to manage it. Contrast this approach with that of the public cloud user who simply pays-per-use of a service that is instantly available, and which requires no upkeep on the part of the user. In order to enjoy the heightened security that comes with a private solution, this is a necessary trade-off however.
Defining Public Cloud Computing
Whereas the private cloud is a closed system to all but the client, public cloud solutions are (as their name states) available to the general public. In other words, data storage, software used, and platform utilization are all shared on the same network of servers by all of the service’s clients. The management and security of all stored data and software applications is handled by the cloud computing provider.
Advantages of Public Cloud Technology
In terms of flexibility, scalability, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, public cloud computing beats private cloud solutions every day of the week. The ability to use all services, including infrastructure, on a “pay-per-usage” basis, and be free of the headaches associated with their daily management represents what most enterprise users point to as the greatest advantage of cloud technology.
Disadvantages of Public Cloud Technology
As alluded to in the previous section, weaker security is the biggest comparative disadvantage to public cloud computing. It would be inaccurate to characterize public services as lacking security, however, as the vast majority of providers do offer high-quality, data encryption during both transfer and storage.
Which Is Better? Private or Public Cloud Computing Solutions?
Deciding which service is better is subjective depending on the type of business the client operates. While public cloud services would seem to have public solutions beat on most fronts, the fact that they put the accountability for protecting client’s confidentiality in the hands of a third party is not only unnerving, but may even cause legal problems in certain areas.
To lay this particular round of the debate to rest, if your business does not require a high level of data security, then the public cloud option will best serve your needs. However, if your business handles sensitive data that cannot be entrusted to an outside party, a private cloud solution will still allow your firm to enjoy many of the benefits of cloud technology – albeit at a slightly higher price.
